Keyboard locking mechanism for laundry listing machines



w. J. KEUPE'R Nov. 6, 1951 KEYBOARD LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY LISTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 23, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR W\\.\ \AM JMEUPER BY 2 (j H\s ATTORNES NOV. 6, 1951 w KEUPER 2,573,847

KEYBOARD LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY LISTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 23, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 as F\G.z G 34 aw sn an GD BB 34 ans 51 as ea am a"! m 34 20 Q t 0 Q a H8 E w ITS ' ||o r 1% n4 m Q 1% J INVENTOR.

W\L\ \AM J. KEuPER BY 2 W. J. KEUPER Nov. 6, 1951 KEYBOARD LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY LISTING MACHINES 4 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1946 INVENTOR.

WvLuAM J. KEUPER 1 .Y I M Jr 0 i T Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UYNITEDEYSTATE s PATENT :o noE'T Application September 2a, 1946, Serial No. 698,666

iiled June 17, 1946, for laundry listing machine.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a'locking mechanism for the keyboard of a laundry listing machine of such a nature that, when the operator initiates a printing operation to print a laundry list, the. keyboard will be locked so that none of. the keys can be operated and this look will only be released by a resetting operation, to restore all displaced type wheels simultaneously to their normal positions.

A furtherobject of. my invention is to provide such axkeyboard-locking mechanism, in which the keyboard lock will not be released unless the resetting shaftis given acomplete forward stroke, suflicient to return all displacedtype wheels to their normal positions.

Another object of my present invention is to provide, in connection with such keyboard looking mechanism, a signal that Will be operated as soon as the lockis applied, will continue to operate as long; as the lock is effective, and will cease operation when the lock is released, thereby informing the operator that the keyboard is locked.

. Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will appear from the detailed description to follow.

19 Claims. (01. 101-110) Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram showing the electric circuits controlling the keyboard locking mechanism and the signal.

r In the drawings, the same reference numerals .refer to thesame parts. throughout the several :looking in the .directionof the arrows. at the ends In one instance, I have accomplished the objects I of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the .appended claims. A machine constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which;

Fig. 1 is a view in frontelevation of a laundry listing machineembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a viewer said machine in left side elevation. I

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the central portion of said machine. I t

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view, showing the means for operating the resetting shaft; and the means for opening the normally-closed switch when the resetting shaftis rotatedfto resetting position, and I v I I of thesectionline.

Referringto thenumbered parts of the draw ings, I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a laundry listing machine such as therone fully illustrated and described in my pending application for U. S. Letters Patent, SerialNo. 677,189, filedJune 17, 1946, for laundry listing machine and, in the drawings of the present application, I have indicated parts identical with those shown in said pending application, Serial No. 677,189, by the same reference numeralsthat were usedtherein to indicate such. parts. ,Sa id laundry listing machine comprises apair of side frames 20, connectedtogether, at the bottom,.:by thetransverse bars 2|, nearthe top ,center,:, by the transverse shaft 22 and, near thefront lower portion of the keyboard, by the transverse, shaft 23. A casing 24 is applied to the side frames and covers the back and front of the machine, ex.- tendingfrom a point near the rear cross bariZJ to the upper front of the machine, at the upper edge of the keyboard. The keyboard frame 25 is mounted betweenthe front portions of the side frames 20, being pivotally mounted on the transverse shaft 23 carried by said side frames. The keyboard frame 25 has the rearwardly 11irected flanges 26, at the sidesthereof. Mounted on the keyboard frame 25 are sixty operating keys 34, arranged in six rows of ten keyseach. One of these keys 34 ,is assigned to each of the classifications of articles likelytobe met with in a bundle of laundry. For instance, one of the keys- 34 is assigned to shirts, another to socks, one totablecloths, another to pajama tops, another to pajama pants, one to bedspreads, another to pillow cases, anothento sheets, and so on. It will be noted that these sixty keys, 34, arranged in six rows, are in stag;-

gered relation to each other, so as to give room for the operating connec tions. Each key. 34 will bearon the key top a legend, indicating lthe board, frame.

class of article to whichgit .assigned. Fined parallel horizontal shafts35. are provided, one for each row ofkeys 34, theends of saidsh'afts being anchored in the side flanges 26 of the key.-

I Keys 34 of the upper row have stems 38, that are rigidly fastened to 'thej'flforwardlye'xtending necks 301 of canssou, pivete lr mqsc d. n e un ha ltt at" the keys 34 of the remaining rows have stems 3! pivoted on the shafts 35 provided for those rows of keys. Interspersed between the ten cams 300 on the upper shaft 35, which cams are provided for the upper row of keys and directl connected thereto,-jthere arezfifty cam members 300,- also pivotally mounted' on/upper shaft 35,- one of these fifty cam members being provided for each of the keys 34 in the remaining rows of keysl The cam members 300, for. the rows of. keys below the upper row, also" 'hayefforwardly extending necks 3|ll, to which theuppehends of links 43 are pivotally connected. Thelo wer end of each link 43 is pivotally connected, by a pin 45, to one of the keystems 31 of the keys of the rows below the upper one. A Thekeystems 38 and 31 extend forwardly from the pivot shaft s'f 35f the {endsQof 'which are mounted in adjusting through slots 36 provided in the keyboard frame 25. It will be noted that each of the keystems .38; and,31 maysbe rocked, either clockwise; or counterclockwise, about its lpiyotshaft ,35. The corresponding cam memberl3llflnwill. be. rocked clockwise .or. counterclockwise. about the. upper pivot shaft .35, depending. .upon thadirection. in which the correspondingkey stem swung. The cams.300..correspond.to .the..cam extensions 39 and the cam members 40 ofniy. saidapplication; Serial No. 677,189,.but. are of somewhat different constructionyfor the purpose of my.

present invention, a'slwill beexplained herein.- afteri 1 Shaft 50. is carried by the rearwardly-directed flanges-26 of the keyboard frame, extending from oneiof. these flanges to the other, and forms the support for' the mechanisms for advancing and returning the type wheels, as the several keys 34 are rocked in one directionor the other. Sixty of *these mechanisms are provided, one-for each of -the keys 34. Each of these mechanisms includesa pair of bell cranks 5|-and 52,- pivotally mounted-on the shaft- 50, said bell cranks havin'g the forwardly-extending arms 53- and-54, between-which the corresponding cam member 300 is interposed,asshownin Fig. 3. A spring 55 has its ends connected to the arms 53 and 54 and' tends torockthe-upper bell crank-5| clockwise, and the lower bell crank- 52 counterc1ockwise; about shaft 50,- so as to hold the arms 53 and-54 in engagement with the cam member 360. Bell crank 5| has a pawl-carrying arm extendin'g" upwardly, on which a feedpawl 51 is' pi v 'o'ted-at56, Bell -crank 52 has a pawl-carrying arm extending downwardly,to which a return pawl 59 is pivotally connected at 58.; The ends 1 of' sp'ring 60'are connected, one to the pawl 51 and' the other to the pawl 59,- and this spring tends to rock the pawls toward each other until they engage the stop "shoulders 5| and 52, provided onthe bell cranks 5| and 52,- respectively A; liori'zontal'resetting shaft46 is rotatably mounted in'the side frames. -of'the machine. Jourrialed on the resetting shaft 45,- there are sixty feed gears 41, one for each of the keys 34.

Each feed gear 41 has a laterally-projectingstud 43 "and another laterally-projecting stud '49 "(see Fig. 3) "Each feed gear 41 is in line with the corresponding feedpawl 5'lan d return pawl 59, arrangedto'be actuated by the key 34 that correspondsto the feed gear, and, when the ke'y'34 isrocke'd'clockwis e, the corresponding cam '300 will likewise be rocked clockwise, the corresponding bell crank 5| will be rocked counterclockwise'andi the'pawl 51 carried therebywill 'befcaused ,to'engage a tooth of the correspondirig feed gear fl and 'advance'that feed gear" Oli h erme tes. aedii h' t biackets"63,pivoted at 64 on the side frame .member suzfl. Eachibracket has an elongated etc., up to and including,,37.. The teeth, numbered. donotj have any type lthereon'cand; are blank, and, when .a,.-type.,.wh .e.l isrpositioned so that toothll .is attheprintineline,no numeral printing will result and the, typeawheel.sis-in; its normal, non-printing position; Thesteethenumbered Hi are also ..blank,. having, .no ,typehthereon. Journaled. on a transverse shaft a712,; whichextends betweenthe two. side. memberslfl Y of .the frame, are sixty-.printingarms.l3, one for each of the keys 34.? Each,.-printing Iarmehas .atrearwardly-extending. ear. .74, a a. cam .notch 15 .near the lower e'ndthereof, and.-.a.foot.16. 'A. printing. plate 1110f channeleshaped.tformation, and having type oncthe' lowerLsurfacethereof .for printing the name ofethelclass .oflarticletowhich the corresponding keyiis assigned is..detachably mounted on the foot 'lfiaofr e'ach; printing arm. The printing plate has notches '18) in. the ..'side walls thereof, which receive a pin 19 on .the fool of the l. printing arm}- and there are .cam notches atthe rear of the printing-plate, which are engaged .by a spring 8 fastened'in a-slot -82 i the lower end of the p'rintingarmi One end of a spring'BBiscQn'nectedto the upper end of each printing arm 13, above the pivot shaftlZ thereof, and the other ends. of the'springs 89 are connected td a-spring bar- 90-, carried 'by and extending .-betweenthe side' members 2 (leaf the frame. These springs- 89 -tend to swing the printing arms :13 to printing position, which the printing plates Ttl are in';position ;to print the names'ofthe classes of-articles assigned theretof "The printing position of th'e printing arm 13 is determined by the -en'gagement of the notch 15" with a 'trans'verse rod 83.5 A comb 31 extends forwardly and upwardly from. the rod 83 and is provided with{sl ots one for each-Ofthe printing arms 13pm which-isa'id arms were. This comb keeps "the printing arms properly spaced. A housing 83, formed of sheet metal, is carried by the sidemmbers'jil o'fth nameaim extends across the lower front p'or' "on of the in'e'emn aeposite the: positions occu d b'y' the lower ends e nj ne r 39, 21 th y more selector member 9| is pivotedt'o the ear ;14 ot the printing arm, by the pin 92. This selector ineinber has a rearwardly-extending finger 93, normally lying in the path of the pin 49 on the corresponding feed gear 41. Each selector member 9I also has a forwardly-extending finger 94 and an oblong slot 95, concentric with pin 92 and receiving the shaft 12. A spring 96, mounted in the upper end of each printing arm 13 above the pivot shaft 12, engages the upper' edge of the corresponding selector member 9I and tends to rock it clockwise about pin 92. When a feed gear 41 is displaced from its normal non-printin position, the stud 49 is removed from the finger 93 of the corresponding selector member, and permits the spring 96 to rock that selectormember clockwise, so as to move the forwardly extending finger 94 out of the path of a pick-up ledge '91, attached to a rock shaft 98, which is journaled in the side members 20 of the frame. Two springs I00, one at each side of the machine, connected,

I at their upper ends, to the pick-up ledge 91 and,

at their lower ends, to pins IOI carried by the side frame members 20, yieldingly hold the pickup ledge in its normal non-selecting position, against the stop pins 99 carried by said side frame ..'members 20.

A shaft I02 is fixed in the side members :20 of the frame and extends transversely of the machine. levers is journaled on shaft I02, each lever having an upwardly and rearwardly-extending opflerating arm I03 and a forwardly and downwardly-extending platen-carrying Springs I05, anchored at their rear ends to the A pair of platen-operating or printing arm I04.

side members 20 of the frame and secured at their forward ends to the arms I03, tend to rock the levers, of which arms I03 form a part, counterclockwiseand thus tend to counter-balance the weight of the platen and associated partsf A base I06 is carried by the forwardly-extending arms I04 of these two levers, the base having downwardly-extending ears I01, at the ends thereof, which ears are pivoted on'pins I08 carried by the arms I04. A platen I09, which may be of rubber or like resilient material, is carried by the base i06, to which there is also secured a sheet metal platen extension IIO, extending forwardly therefrom and having a bar III adjustably mounted thereon to serve as a guide or abutment, against which the right-hand edge of the blank or form is placed to position it properly on the platen for printing the numbers and names of the articles in the proper place on the 1 laundry list. Each arm I04 of the printing levers has bearings H2, in which adjusting screws I I3 are mounted, said adjusting screws bearing against bosses II4 on the bottom of the .base I06.

The upper end of each arm I03 is forked and carries a follower roller I I5, which engages a cam I I1 fast on a shaft I I6 journaled in theside members 20 of the frame, and having an operating crank II8 fast thereto, on the left-hand side of the machine. When the shaft H6 is given a revolution counterclockwise by turning the crank II8, the high spots of cams II1 engage rollers H5 and rock the printing levers counterclockwise, bringing the blank supported on platen I09 2 against the inking ribbon, which is interposed .ing arms.

.cent side member 20 of the frame.

6 I.I1,a ofthe selecting mechanisms for the print- At'each. side of the machine, there is a toggle mechanism including a rocker member II9, pivoted on a stud I20 carried by the adja- This toggle mechanism, which is not shown herein but is fully described and illustrated in my pending application, Serial No. 677,189, provides a means for rocking a cam which engages a follower roller I30, carried by an arm I3I, fasteneed on one end of the rock shaft 98, to which the pick-up ledge I 91 is fixed. When the rocker member H9 is is formed (Fig. 5).

swung clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 3, arms I3I will be rocked clockwise against the tension of springs I00, thus causing the pick-up ledge 91 to engage the fingers 94 of selector members 9| in selecting position, and rock the corresponding printing arms 13 to carry them and printing plates 11 away from printin position. A transversely-extending locking rod I32 extends between and is carried by the rocker members H9 and, when these rocker members are swung clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 3, the locking rod I32 will be swung into the space between teeth of the gears 41, and lock these gears and the type wheels against movement during the printing operation. Each rocker member I I9 also has a laterally-extending flange (not shown), which cooperates with certain parts that will be described in connection with the resetting mechanism.

The operator may print as many lists as he desires from a given setup, but it will be necessary to reset the mechanism to normal before setting up for the printing of a different list, representing the contents of a different bundle. This may be accomplished by rotating the resetting crank I36 at the right-hand side of the machine. Referring to Fig. 5, this crank is carried by a hub I31 fast to a pinion I38, which is journaled on a stud I39 carried by the right-hand side member 20 of the frame. Pinion I38 meshes with a pinion I40 having an equal number of teeth, the hub of which is fast to the resetting shaft 46. Thus, rotation of the resetting crank I30 rotates pinion I30 in one direction, and pinion I40 in the opposite direction, which motion of pinion I40 is transmitted to the shaft 46. Sixty resetting discs I48 are provided, one for each of gears 41, said discs being mounted on the resetting shaft 46, interspersed between gears 41, and each disc being keyed to that shaft by a key I50 (Fig. 3). Each resetting disc I48 has a projection I49, which normally lies in front of the stud 48 on the corresponding gear 41. The operator, by means of crank I36, rotates shaft 46 to the limit of movement in the clockwise direction (Fig. 3), which causes the projections I49 on the resetting discs to engage the rear sides of pins 48 and bring all the pins to the normal position shown in Fig. 3. The operator, then, reverses the direction of rotation of crank I36 and returns that crank and the resetting discs to the normal position shown in Fig. 3, in which the projections I49 lie in front of the pins 48. The resetting position of shaft 46 is that in which the projections I49 of the resetting discs will be in engagement with the rear of the pins 48, when the feed gears 41 and type wheels 69 are in the normal, non-printing position.

Pinion I40 has a member I44 fast thereto, provided with a flange I5I, in which a notch I 52 When the resetting shaft 46 is in'its normal position, shown in Fig. 3, and the right-hand rocker member H9 is rocked clockwise by its cam I "I1 to select the printing plates foran imprint,' the laterally-extending flange previously mentioned (not shOWn)f on" said "rocker member IIQ, moves into the notch I 52 and "against the' 'front wall'of 'thatnotch. "Just' as soon as resetting shaft e6'is'turn'edinthe "clock- 'wise'direction, atthe beginning of'the'rese'tting bprationjthe front wall of notch ISZ'enga'ges "said 'laterally-extendingflange" on rocker H9, and rocks member I'l9"counterclockwise, thus restoring the toggle mechanism to 'the'normal "position and causing the cams a'ctingon the fol- "l'ower' rollers I365 -to move away therefrom, so that 'springs'Ififl can rock shaft 98 and the pickup ledge'ell to the position shown'in Fig." 3, in -fvvhich'positic'zn springs IEO maintain thele'd'ge 91 ag'ainst'thestop pins 99. This "counterclock- Wisemovement of the rocker members II9, also, removes the locking rod I32 from between the teeth of feed gears it, thus releasing said feed" gears and type wheels at the beginning 'of the resetting stroke.

Member N- has integral therewith" a radiallyfexte'nding finger I53, which lies against the lower side of stop 58. (Fig. 5) ,when the'resetting shaft "ofthe"keyboard, having been locked by'the-op- 'erationbf the printing means, will not be'unlooked until'a complete forward strokeof" 'the resetting shaft 4 6 hasbeen made to theresettingpositionrwhich insures that all the displaced type"Wheels"69 will be restored to normal position before the keyboard is unlocked.

Asstated above, I have provided a plurality "of'cams" 300"journaled on'the upper shaft*35. Theseca'ms 300 "correspond to cam 'extensio'ns39 and cams "4 0 of my said pending application,

"SeriafNo. 677,189, and cooperate 'with the'bell ."crank' levers SI and 52 in the same way that said cams cooperated with said levers. Therea're sixty cams300, one for each of the operating keys 34 of the machine, mounted side by side 'on i the upper shaft" 35.

across the platen extension H0, are fixed in" Springs I16 are connected, at their upper ends,

to the hubs I72 and, at their lower ends, to pins I76 on the side frame members 20 and tend to rock the bail H5 so as to carry it against the form mounted on the platen.

It is desirable, in connection with a laundry listing machine of the type described above, to compel the operator, after the initiation of a printing operation, to restore all of the type wheels to zero, before any of the keys of the keyboard be operated to set up a new list. In accordance with my present invention, this is accomplished by providing a normally inactive locking device for locking the means for selectively advancing the type wheels, or the keyboard, which will be rendered active by the operation of the printing means, and Will be restored to normal, inactive position by operation of the resetting means. In my said pending application, Serial No. 677,189, of which the present application is a continuation-in-part, the opera- Each cam 3M has'aforwardly-extending neck 30I. The necks 30I of the cams assignedto the upper row of keys-34 are rigidly connected to the'stems'38 of said keys; and thenecks 30I of the cams assigned tothe other keys of the keyboard are each pivotally connected tothe upperend of a link 43, the lower end of which ispivotally connected, as at 45, to the stem 3'! of the key to which the'corresponding cam is' assigned. Each cam "tilll-fhas' a 'Tshaped slot therein, thehead portionSflTof "whichis concentric with the axis of the upper 'shaft 35 about 'which the cams 300 are'rockable, "and the stem portion-303 of which slot is radial *of said axis. Sockets 304 '(Fig. 4) are formed in thesi'de frame members 20 of the machine' and bores'305; of smaller diameter, communicatewith thbottoms-of said sockets. Plungers 306-are slidablyrnounted in the sockets 3M and have tail portions' '30l;of smaller diameter, 'slidable in the bores3ll5. Springs 368, positioned in the'sockets 3 04"surrounding the tail portions 36'! of' 'the plungers, are interposed between the bottoms of said sockets and the shoulders between the tail portions *301 and the bodies of plungers 306,-and

"tend'to project'said plungers from saidsockets.

'Each plunger 306 is provided with a head portion 309, through which extends a locking rod S III that is fastened to said head portions and under *the'pressure of springs 308. When the plungers-306 are in their projected positions, with-the h'eads 309 engaging the stop screws '3I2,

tion of the printing shaft HG through cams H! causes the rocker members H9 to rock clockwise, carrying the locking rod I32 into engagement with spaces between the teeth of gears '41. This locks gears 41 and type'wheels 69 against movement, and locks the keys 34 on the keyboard against all except such limited movement as would bring the feed pawls 51 orthe return pawls 59 into engagement with teeth of the feed gears 57. However, in the machine shown in my said pending application, the rocker members I I are'swung counter-clockwise at the very beginning of a resetting stroke, so that the feed gears 47, the type wheels 69 and the keys 34,111 thatmachine, might be unlo'cked'for'optho-looking rod 3H] will lie in'the head portions 3020f the T-shaped slots in the cams"3iill,'so that'said cams may rock freely about the axis of the upper shaft 35. A collar 3I3 is fast to each end of the locking rod SIB, outside the framefand "is provided with an ear that is'received inthe forked end '3I4-of a solenoid core 3I5, the core ;being'pivotally"connected to the ear ofsaid collar. Thecores 3l5 work in solenoids 3H5, mounted onthe side frame'members 20, and, whenever these solenoids are energized, the cores 3"I5wil1 be drawn into them, thus moving the'locking frod- 3| 0 into 'the stem portions 303 of "the "T-shaped slots, and locking the cams 300 against movement, thereby locking the keys -34 1 of the keyboardagainst operation.

A pair of contacts 3" (Figs. 3 and 6) are mounted by a suitable bracket'on one of the side members 20' of themachineframe, in"posi tion to be engaged by acontact' 3l9 carried by a'bracl zet 3I8, fixedto the adjacent printing lever I04. This is a normally-open switch but,

when the lever I04 ismckedcounterclockwise by the rotation of shaft'IIG and cam 1, contact 3l9 will engage contacts "3I'I and close this normally-open switch. This will occur at the end of the printingstroke.

A normally-closed switch 320 is adjustably turned to resetting position, in which position finger I53 will lie'above the stud I54,the end of finger I53 will engage and depress the operating button 32I to open the normally-closed switch connected to one side of a'source of suitable electric current, is connected by the branch leads 323 to one end of the winding of each solenoid 3I6. The other ends of said windings are con-- nected by the branch leads 324 to a lead 325, which is connected by lead 326 to the movable contact member 321 of a normally-open relay switch having an operating'coil 328. The fixed 1 contact, with which saidmovable contact 321,

cooperates, is connected by lead 329 to the other.

side of said source of current. It will be obvious that, when the normally-open relay switch 321 is-closed, current will be supplied to the solenoids 3I6, which will be energized to move thelocking rod'3l0 to locking position against the'pressure of springs 308. As stated, the relay switch 321 is normally open but, when the operating coil 328 thereof is energized, the *switch'321 .will be closed. The lead 322 is connected by lead 330 to one end of theoperating, coil 32-8 of the" relay, the other end of said coil being connected by lead 33I to one of the fixed contacts-3J1 of the normally-open switch previously referred to. The other fixed contact 3 I1 of'said switch is connected by the lead 332 tothe lead 329 connected to the other side of the source of current. This constitutes a startingcircuit and it will be obvious that the closing of the movable contact' as the printing lever-returns to normal atthe* close -'of thepr inting operationfand this would result in the deenergizing of the=operating coil 328 and 'the "consequent deepergizing or the solenoids 3I6, but for the'holdingcircuit thatI' have provided.

This holding circuit comprisesa lead 334 com necting the lead 325 with one of the-terminals of the normally-closed switch 320; the other ter-" minal of that switch being connected by the lead 333 to the lead 33I to one end of the operat ing coil 328. This holding circuit; therefore, chides the operating coil 328, the normally-closed switch 320 and the 'normally open relay 321,

and the operating coil 328will be held energized and the relay switch 32! held closed as long as switch 320 is closed. However, 'when'the" re setting shaft 46 is rotated to resetting position,

switch 320 is opened and that breaks the holding circuit for the operating coil 328, so that, the

switch 3 I 9-"3 I I operated by the printing lever being o'pen,the coil 328 is deenergiz'ed and relayf switch 321 open'ed,so that'the solenoids 3I6 are 3 -deenergized and thlocking' rod'3'l0"moves to"" ineffective position u'nder thei pressure of the springs 308. y

The electricsignallamp335 is connected in"- parallel to the solenoids 3I6 bylead' 331, con- 'necting one terminal of said 'lamp to 'the 'lead 322, and'lead 336 connecting the other terminal" of said lamp to lead 325. It will be evident that" the electric lamp 335 will be lit as soonas the solenoids 3I6 areienergized', and'will remainlit as long as theses'olenoids are energized, sothat it acts'as a signal to indicate that the keyboard? is locked. The operator will' 'kn'ow that a surficient forward stroke tocause the lamp 335*to go out must be given to the resettingshaft 46; and such stroke will be "sufficient to release the keyboard locking'mechanism andpermit further" operation ofthe keysp i The operation of my improved keyboard locking mechanism for laundry listing machines" shouldbe apparent from the foregoing description. Let us assume that the operator has de-" pressed the proper keys 34'the' proper number of times to set the type wheels 69 for the printing of the desired laundry list. In suchse'tting-up operation, some of the-type wheels 69'will be displaced from their normal non-printing positions? A blank on which thelaundry list is to be print-' ed is placed on the platen I09 and the operator gives the shaft H6 one complete revolution, by"

means of the crank I I0 at'the left of the machine.

This results in the rocking of the printing levers I04 counterclockwise carrying the blank-on the the electriclamp 335; -At thattime, locking' rod 3I0 is moved into the stem portions 303 of the T-shaped slots, locking the cams 300 against rocking movement and locking the keys 34 of the keyboard against operation, At the same time, the" lamp 335 is lit to signal to the opera-' tor that the keyboard is locked. The closing of the starting circuit by switch 3I9-'3II also resulted in the'closing of the holding circuit,

which includes the normally-closed switch 320; The holding circuit will tremain closed, eventhough the switch 3I9-3 I'I opens at the comple-i tion of'the printing operation. Therefore, the keyboard remains locked andxthe lamp 335 con tinues lit to signal tothe: operator theilocked. condition. When the operator, by means f'of the crank 136. at the right-hand sideof the mai 115 chine-.igiveswthe:resettingiishaft-k :4 6 .acomplete 1' forward stroke to resetting position, vin.-;.which the finger; I53" lies: above. the stud? :I 54"," the normallyclo'sediswitohr32 1 wilL-beeopened' andathis breaks the holding ycircuit, isosithatzs-the operating coil: 32 3,ii$ deenergized and-the relayswitchSZ'l opens-. This wdeenergizes the :solenoidsifl t6 so that *the' springs 1308 move thei-lockingzrod 3 l0 to its nor-- malrinactive position inthehead: portions 302' of the Teshaped'slotsgiin-whichposition the cams 3m are:mockable-about:the axis: of" the uppershaft -.35 and the'xkeys of the keyboard are unlockedaandl can beoperat'ed atwill. At the same' time::the;circuitrto-the1lamp 335 is broken; so that thatflampzgoesout;

il'amiaware that the ikeyboardrlocking mechanism'for laundry listingi machines described hereinris susceptible of considerable variation without. departing afiom Ethel spirit of: my invention and, thereforerl iclaimi-mysiinvention broadly: as in dicated-by; theappendedplaims;

Having thus described my invention-y. what I: claimaas. :new and useful-and: desire :to-fsecuredby Letters Patent; is?

1;:In=-a-2laundry:listing machine;rthe:.-combina-. tion :of a plurality of iirotatable -'-type-whee1s;" m'eans #for' selectively advancin'gzsaid typewh'eels step-by.-step from :normal position; 1 I said means includingxa feed fpawl associated' with? each ofsaidfltype wheels: and: movable from: an inactive positionin which it is disconneoted from= its -'as-- sociated "type wheel -to van active-position in: which? it is: effective :toe imparta: step' of: move-1 mentl'to the wheel; iandfa a selectively I rockable cam:- for-moving; itswrelated pawl :from inactive position to active-cposition'; saidz' cam" 'havingformed therein a T-shapedslot thehead' of which i's: concentric w-ith the axis about which the 'cam- -rocksan'd th'er-stem ofwhich -is'radialofrthe P axis resettingcmeans for simultaneously restoring all displacede type" wheels :tovth'eir' nor= malpositions yprinting means operable-to make-- anrimprintvfrom: saidr ty-pe wheels; a -locking rod-- passing rthrough: the slots ineallwofsaidcams;

means. actuated by =said printing means for 'mov-- "-4 ingsaid-rod from the head-.portions-of the slots:- intoethe stem portions thereof, thereby 1 locking said.:cams against operation: and -means actuated byi operation' of said :resetting; means tor returning said rod into the head portions ofsaid slots -thereby*- releasing said cams:

-23 Ina2 :laundry listing smachine ithe- 'c0mblnation :01 :a plurality-of rotatable 'type' wheels: means forzselectively-advancing saidtype wheelssaid: type --whee1st' and movable: fromran inactive position in which it is disconnected from' its: associated- :type wheel to-an active; position in whichit "is ,efiective to impart a steprvof 311031569! ment 130"i7h81Wh891, and a selectively rockabler cam for moving-its related spawl: fromrinactiiiev position to active position; saidicamhaving: formed therein a T-shaped'i'slot-:therhead-t ofir which is-concentric -with thevaxisiabout. which; the .1 cam-rocks and the stem of 'whichuis :radial-f.i

Ofthe axis; arresetting shaft; means F'fOIT/zTOtQt-I ing said resetting-shaft to simultaneously:restore all. displaced; type wheels -:to: their: normal 1305i! tions-;'.;a printing shaft; imeansifor rotating saidf. printing shaft to make ann imprint :from said-L.

' type iwheels; ;a locking -rod-passing ythroughnthec slots of all of said cams; means actuated by? rotation of 'saidprinting. shaft .for moving said rod 'fromi-the ihead 'portionseof' theislotsiinto the a stem portions thereof, thereby-docking: said cams: 1

against-operation; and meansractuatedzbyirota-i tion: of said :resettingrshaftrfor returninge said;-

rod into :the head: portions of said: slots. thereby."- releasing 'saidi' cams.

4. In a laundry listing machine zthencombie- ::nation on: a plurality of. 'rotatablei.typezwheels;

means: for selectively advancing said type wheelss. step-by steptfrom normal position; normally ineffective means for. locking said=advancing means against'operation; means; including-a solenoid;

"for rendering said locking means :effective; a

normally-open circuit forenergizing said solenoid; printing meansoperable-to make an-imprint from. said 'type wheels; means actuated by said printing means -for closing saidcirouitand energizing said solenoid-so as to render said" lockingmeans effective; resetting "means forsimultaneously restoring all displaced type-- wheels to their normal positions; and'meansactuated by said resettingmeans for'breaking said circuit" and deenergizing said solenoid so as to render saidlocking means ineffective 5. In a' laundry listing machine, the combination of aplurality of rotatable" type wheels;- means for'selectively advancing said type wheels p' yt p' nrfl position? Said K193119557 step-by-step from normal position; normally includinga feed:-pawl' associated with each of" saidtype' wheels :and' movable from aari inactive positioniirriwhich it is disconnected= from itsassociated type wheel' to an. active position in.

nientto the wheel, randra s'electiviely rockabie' cam fora-moving itstrelate'dwpawl" -from inactive position :to r active positions. said: cam having;- formed: therein. a :-T.-shaped-= slot thew head. of?

which is concentricwith the r axis a about? which the? camrtrooks andithe' stem of TWhlCh'=l-S radial oftthe axis airesettingcshaft means for frot'atingsaid resetting *s'haft atorsimulta'neously restore allzdisplaced :typ'e- :wheels 'i'tO :their: normal rposi+- ineffective means for locking said advancing means against operation; means; including a solenoid; for rendering said lockingmeans efiec tive; an-energizing circuit for said solenoid; printing-means operable to make an imprint" from said type wheels; a relay a normally open switch insaid energizing circuitoperable/by saidtrelay; means actuated: by said printing means for energizingsaidrelay and closing said; switch so as to cause said solenoid to. be energized andjsaid locking means. to-be rendered. effective; resetting meansv for. simultaneously restoring. all. displaced type Wheelsv ,to..their 1101 tionsr-printing'wmeans operable to: makezan im ;;mal positions; and .meansoactuatedfby -said,re-.

print from said "typeewheels arlockingsrod passe ingrthrough-tthe slotsi-otla'll 17f i-said .carns ;means: actuatedzby "saidzaprintingf' means: for rmoyingrsai'dr r'odrfromzzthe headiportions .ofzthe slotsrintow setting means for? deenergizing said. relay, and. opening said switch whereupon said; solenoid 1 will be deenergized; and-said locking. meanszren dered ineffective.

thesstem: portions theneot;-thereb'y locking 'said;; 5' '61- The combination: recitediimclaimfi include-- in'said means actuated by said resetting means includes a normally closed switch in said hold ing circuit.

8. In a laundry listing machine, the combination of a plurality of rotatable type wheels; means for selectively advancing said type wheels ste'p-by-step from normal position; a resetting shaft; means for giving said shaft a forward and a return stroke of movement; means actuated by said shaft during the forward strokethereof for simultaneously restoring all displaced type wheels to their normal positions; printing means operable to make an imprint from said type wheels; a device movable from a normal position to a locking position for locking said advancing means against operation; means actuated by said printing means for moving said device from normal position to locking position; and means actuated by said resetting shaft at the end of its forward stroke after all displaced type wheels have been restored to their normal positions for returning said device to its normal position.

9. In a laundry listing machine, the combination of a plurality of rotatable type wheels; means for selectively advancing said type wheels stepby-step from normal position, said means including a device associated with each of said type wheels and movable from an inactive position inwhich it is disconnected from its associated type wheel to an active position in which it is efiective to impart a step of movement to the wheel, and a selectively operable member for moving each of said devices from inactive position to active position; a resetting shaft; means for giving said.shaft a forward and a return stroke of movement; means actuated by said shaft during the forward stroke thereof for simultaneously restoring all displaced type wheels to their normal positions; printing means operable to make an imprint from said type wheels; means actuated by said printing means for locking said members against operation; and means actuated by said resetting shaft at the end of its forward stroke and after all displaced type wheels have been restored to their normal positions for releasing said locking means.

10. Ina laundry listing machine, the cornbination of a plurality of rotatable type wheels; means for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step from normal position, said means including a device associated with each of said type wheels and movable from an inactive position-in which it is disconnected from its associated type wheel to an active position in which it is effective to impart a step of movement to the wheel, and a selectvely operable member for moving each of said devices frominactive position to active position; normally ineffective means for locking said members against operation;

means, including a solenoid for rendering said locking means effective; printing means operable said solenoid and rendering said locking means ineffective to lock said members against operabiOIl. V V 1' -11.In a laundry listing machine including a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality of operating keys one for each type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resetting position to restore simultaneously all displaced type wheels to normal positions and for returning said shaft to normal position, a printing lever, and means for rocking said lever to make an imprint from said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanism comprising the combination of a plurality of cams rockable about a common axis for operating said advancing means, one cam being connected for operation to each of said keys, each of said cams having a T-shaped slot therein the head of which iscOncentric with said axis and the stem of which is radial of said axis; a locking rod passing through all of said slots; means, actuated by the rocking of said printing lever, to move said rod into the stem portions of said slots; and means, actuated by the rotation of said resetting shaft from normal, to return said rod to the head portions of said slots.

12. In a laundry listing machine including a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality of operating keys one for each type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resetting position to restore simultaneously all displaced type wheels to normal positions and for returning said shaft to normal position, a printing lever and means for rocking said lever to make an imprint from ,said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanism comprising the combination of a plurality of cams rockable about a common axis, one cam being connected for operation to each of said keys, each cam having a T-shaped slot therein the head of which is concentric with said axis and the stem of which is radial thereof, said cams when operated by said keys being adapted to actuate said advancing means; a locking rod-passing through all said slots; spring means normally holding .said rod in the head postions of said slots; means, actuated by the rocking of said printing lever, to move said rod into the stem portions of said slots against the pressure of said spring means; and means, actuated by rotation of said resetting shaft to resetting position, for releasing said rod to permit it to move into the head portions of said slots underthe pressure of said spring means.

13. In a laundry listing machine including a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality of operating keys one for each type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resetting position to restore all displaced type wheels simultaneously to normal and for returning said shaft to normal, a printing lever, and means for rocking said lever to make an imprint from said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanism comprising the combination of a plurality of cams rockable about a common axis and effective when rocked to actuate said advancing means, one of said cams being connected for operation to each of said keys, each cam having a T-shaped slot therein the head of which is concentric with said axis and the stem of which is radial thereof; a locking rod passing through all said slots; spring means normally holding said rod in the head portions of said slots; a solenoid'acting when energized to move said rod intothe stem portions of said slots; means-"actuated by'the rocking of said 15 Printing" l fQl';-Q .ZiI 4 olenoid @QQ means u e r ne r at on o sa dese n to e e t n p s ion o deeners iz n said solenoid. I

'14. in a laundry listing machine including a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a pluralityof operating keys one for each type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing said type wheels stepby-step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resetting position to re-. store all displaced type wheels to normal. and for returning said shaft to. normal, a printing lever, and means for rocking said lever to make an. imprint from said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanismcomprising the combination of a plurality of cams .rockableabout a common axis and. adapted when rocked to actuate said advancing means, one of said .cams being connected to each ofsaid keys. for operation thereby, each cam having a T-shapedslot therein the head of which is concentric with. said-axis and the stem of which is radial. thereof; a locking rod passing through allsaid slots; spring means.

normally holding, said rod in theheadportions of theslots; a solenoid actingwhen energized tov move said rod into. the stem portions of said slots; a normally open switch; means, carried by said printing lever, for closing said switch upon actuation of said lever to make an imprint; a normally closed switch; a member fixed to said resetting shaft and effective toopen said normaily closed switchwhen said resetting shaft is turned to resetting position; a. normally open relay; an electric circuit including a source of current, said solenoid and. said relay; a starts r u n u in he o r o rent. ai normally open switchand the operating I coilof said relay; and a holding circuit including said source of current, the relay, saidnormally closed switch and said operatingcoil of the relay.

15., Ina laundry listing machine including a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality of operating keys one forfeach type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing. said type wheels step-by-step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to vreset-ting posi tion to restore simuitaneouslyall displaced type wheels to normal and for returningsaid shaft to normal, a in ne e r an means. o ock.- ing said lever to make an imprint fromsaidtype wheels, a b rd ck n mechanism. c m:

prising the combination of a plurality of cams rockable about acommon axis and adapted .when

rocked to actuate. said advancing means, one of.

said cams being connected to eachof said keys for operationthereby, eachcam having a, T- shaped slot therein the head of whichisconcenri w ii aid ax snd. h tem of w ch i a al hars i a oc in d a thro h sa d 1 5; in an normall ho in sai r d meli flsl rti ns. o he. s ots; olenoid. acthen n izedo move. sa d od. i t e stem pcrticnsofsaid slots; anormally .open,

switch; means carried byysaid printing lever for closing saidswitch upon actuationof saidlever opeigating coil of said relay-fr a holding circuitdn lk-lin qt 91 rren he 1 1%; $1 .9

normally closed switch and said operating coili.

of the relay; and a signal lamp CODIIECtGdwlII said electric circuit in parallel to said solenoid. 16., In a laundry listing machine including-a;

plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality. of operating keys one for each type wheel, means.

actuated by the operation of said keys for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by.- step, a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resetting position to restore simultaneously all displaced type wheels to normal and for returning said shaft to normal, a print inglever, and means for rocking said lever to makean imprint from said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanism comprising the combination of a locking device movable from normal ineffective position to an effective position, in which it locks said keys against operation; spring means normally holding said locking dezq, vice in ineffective position; a solenoid acting when energized. to move said locking device to effective position; a normally open switch; means carried by said printing lever for closing said switch upon actuation of said lever to make an imprint; a normally closed switch; a member fixed, to said resetting shaft and effective to open said normally closed switch when said resetting shaft is turned to resettingposition; a normally open relay; an electric circuit including a source of current, said solenoid and said relay; a-starting circuit including the source of current, said.

normally open switch and the operating coil of said relay; and a holding circuit including said source of current, the relay, said normally closed switch and said operating coilof the relay.

17. In a laundry listing machine including a.

plurality of rotatable type wheels, a plurality of operating keys one for each type wheel, means actuated by the operation of said keys for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step,

a resetting shaft, means for rotating said shaft to resettingposition to restore simultaneously. all displaced type wheels to normal and for returning. said shaft to normal, a printing lever, and

iii means for rocking said lever to make an imprint 59,;keys against operation; spring means normally holding said locking device in ineffective position; a. solenoid acting when energized to move said locking device to effective position; a normally open switch; means carried by said printin lever ;.for closing said switch upon actuation of said lever to make an imprint; a normally closed switch; a member fixed to saidresetting shaft and effective .toopen said normally closed switch when said resetting shaft is-turned to resetting 6B position; a normally open relay; an electric circult including a source of current, said solenoid andsaid relay; a starting circuit includi thesource of current, saidnormally open switch and the operating coil of said relay; a holding circuitincluding said source of current, the relay,'said normally closed switch and-said operating coil of the relay; and a signal lamp connected in said electric circuit in parallel to said solenoid.

18. In a laundr listing machine including at, 0 frame, a plurality of rotatable type wheels, apluralityof operatingkeys-one for each-typewheel, advancing means for-selectively advancing said typelwheelsstep-by Step, a resetting shaft, means: for rotating said shaft to restore simultaneously :7 l displaced pegwh ls.tonormaland for returning said shaft to normal, a printing lever, and means for rocking said lever to make an imprint from said type wheels, a keyboard locking mechanism comprising the combiantion of a plurality of cams rockable about a common axis and adapted to actuate said advancing means when rocked, one of said cams being connected to each of said keys for operation thereby, each cam having a T-shaped slot therein the head of which is concentric with said axis and the stem of which is radial thereof; a pair of plungers slidably mounted in sockets formed in said frame; a locking rod carried by said plungers and passin through said slots; spring means acting on said plungers to project them from said sockets and hold the rod normally in the head portions of said slots; means, actuated by the rocking of said printing lever, to retract said plungers into said sockets and to move the rod into the stem portions of said slots against the pressure-of said spring means, and means, actuated by rotation of said resetting shaft, for releasing the lastmentioned means to permit said spring means to project said plungers and move the rod into the head portions of said slots.

19. In a laundry listing machine including a frame, a plurality of rotatable type wheels, a, plurality of operating keys one for each type wheel, advancing means for selectively advancing said type wheels step-by-step, a resetting shaft, means.

18 rocked, one of said cams being connected to each of said keys for operation thereby, each cam having a- T-shaped slot therein the head of which is concentric with said axis and the stem of which is radial thereof; a, pair of plungers slidably mounted in sockets formed in said frame; a locking rod carried by said plungers and passing through said slots; spring mean acting on said plungers and normally tending to project them from said sockets and hold said rod in the head portions of the slots; a pair of solenoids having cores connected to said rod so that, when said solenoids are energized, said rod will be moved into the stem portions of said slots against the pressure of said spring means; means, actuated by the rocking of said printing lever, for energizing said solenoids; and means, actuated by the rotation of said resetting shaft, for deenergizing said solenoids.

WILLIAM JOHN KEUPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 482,293 Bundy Sept. 6, 1892 1,103,063 Lang July 14, 1914 1,150,997 Carroll Aug. 24,1915 1,156,955 Wells Oct. 19, 1915 1,352,070 Lang Sept. 7, 1920 1,532,890 Deutsch Apr. 7. 1925 1,695,964 Lang Dec. 18, 1928 1,799,408 Bull .1 Apr. 7, 1931 1,904,626 Ogden Apr. 18, 1933 2,142,862 Skeen Jan. 3, 1939 2,174,571 Eller Oct. 3, 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,573,847 November 6, 1951 WILLIAM JOHN KEUPER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: a

Column 14, line 44, for postions read portions; column 17, line 21, for means,, first occurrence, read means;;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiioe.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of February, A. D. 1952.

THOMAS E. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssioner of Patents. 

